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Air fryer cornish hen on a dinner plate with fresh vegetables.

Air Fryer Cornish Hen

With crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, this recipe for Air Fryer Cornish Hen is irresistibly delicious. Only three ingredients and ready in just 35 minutes!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 Cornish hens
Calories 972 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

How to Air Fry Cornish Hen

  • Pat Cornish hens completely dry with paper towels.
    2 Cornish hens
  • Divide olive oil between Cornish hens, and rub the hens with the oil so they are evenly coated.
    1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • Rub each hen with ½ of your chili seasoning, coating the entire surface of each hen.
    1 Tablespoon chili seasoning
  • Place the Cornish hens breast side up in the air fryer basket.
  • Air fry at 350°F for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes, turn each hen over breast side down, and continue air frying for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Check the internal temperature of the hens using an instant read meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh meat, without touching the bone. When the thigh meat of the hens registers at 165°F, or the breast meat at 150°F, they are done cooking. Continue cooking until the proper temperature is reached, if needed.
  • Remove the hens from the air fryer and rest for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy after resting!

Countertop Air Fryer Oven Instructions

  • Pat Cornish hens completely dry with paper towels.
  • Divide olive oil between Cornish hens, and rub the hens with the oil so they are evenly coated.
  • Rub each hen with ½ of your chili seasoning, coating the entire surface of each hen.
  • Place hens on the air fryer oven tray breast side up. For easier cleanup, we recommend placing a small baking sheet lined with foil on the rack below the hens, to catch any drippings.
  • Air fry at 350°F for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes, flip each hen over breast side down, and continue air frying for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Check the internal temperature of the hens using an instant read meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh meat, without touching the bone. When the thigh meat of the hens registers at 165°F, or the breast meat at 150°F, they are done cooking. Continue cooking until the proper temperature is reached, if needed.
  • Remove the hens from the air fryer and rest for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy after resting!
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Notes

    • Make sure to pat the hens dry before seasoning. This helps crisp the skin as they air fry.
    • It is important to use an instant read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the hens.
    • Allow the hens to rest after cooking for best results.
    • Avoid using a non-stick cooking spray with additives as this might break down the non-stick coating in your air fryer basket. For this recipe, you should rub the hens with oil and seasoning separately, instead. There is no need to spray the basket for this recipe.
    • Cook time may vary depending on your specific model of air fryer.
    • Recipe time and temperature is based on a cold air fryer. If cooking in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early, as they may cook more quickly.
    • Nutrition may vary based on the chili seasoning used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cornish henCalories: 972kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 78gFat: 71gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 33gCholesterol: 455mgSodium: 277mgPotassium: 1142mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 2210IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 4mg